In the thick of it....

Well life has been, well to put it plainly, crazy!! All of you with two children know exactly what I mean. Life right now consists of a roller coaster ride of ups and downs and sometimes some loops, thankfully the ups are what is pushing us through this crazy time with a newborn and a two year old trying to adjust to life with "another".

Yesterday, I was forced to stay home on what would've been mine and Caleb's first time at church since the birth, not to mention father's day and it was senior recognition day. Micah has come down with a cold so the boys and I stayed at home, which made for a really tough morning. So Ed came home from church and I was completely frazzled...What a great Father's day! We did enjoy the rest of the day with Ed's family though, so there's an up!
Then Ed and I had one of those marriage and family conversations that doesn't start out good, but ended very well...you know the one I'm talking about. Down and Up.
Then poor Micah was up from 4am till 7am off and on with his cold. He was so sleepy, but couldn't sleep and he would just cry. It is the worst as a parent when you want to make him feel better, but you just can't. So needless to say that means I was up from 4am to 7am and then Caleb awoke at 8am. Mostly down with a little up. I mean he is so cute! (I came downstairs with Micah...we were going to lay on the couch and watch tv. we got down here and then he started crying. I asked him what's wrong and he said, "I want to go in big boy bed". How cute!)

So I find myself completely in the thick of it, very tired, thin patience, so tired of nursing every three hours(it never was my favorite thing), but encouraged by my husband and somehow just doing it. I guess that is the beauty of motherhood. You don't really know how you do it, you just do because you have to and the Lord gives you what you need to get through. He sustains you and you are blessed by it. So I find myself thankful for being in this stage of life, treasuring the spit up on my shoulder, Micah yelling Mommy Mommy, a newborn crying, and a passing kiss to my husband (oh yeah, I remember you!). The ride is started to ascend again and I'm going to treasure every bit because I know I'll need it to get through the next hill or loop.

Party Pooper!

Cutest moment of the week:
Ed and I were getting Micah ready for bed after youth group on Wednesday, so it was late and he was grumpy. He was fighting me on something and I said, "Micah why do you always have to be a party pooper." He replied in the sweetest voice, "Mama, I not a pooper." Ed and I just laughed...he's so cute!

My Boys

Caleb is two weeks old today and I can't believe it. I feel like he has already changed so much in these two weeks. We are still trying to adjust to a schedule and working on feedings. Oh to be just a couple of weeks down the road with a routine and a baby who sleeps through the night! Here are some of my favorite pictures of my three boys!

Check out the smile that Caleb has! He is so advanced!
Micah loves to kiss Caleb for a picture. After he does it he says "Aw, so sweet!" Obviously he has heard that over and over!

Caleb Day 2

Mom and Caleb. Day 2.

Look at that HAIR!

Caleb rockin the mohawk.

Yeah. We get to take that home.

Little Brother is Here!

Please welcome CALEB ANDREW MARTIN to the blogging world! Caleb was born at 10:37 yesterday morning. Caleb means "faithful" and Andrew means "manly, brave". We were inspired by the story of Caleb in the Bible when the Lord says "But my servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring int the land which he entered..." Caleb had a different view than the majority of the other spies. He seemed to live Psalm 16 in that "I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices..." Caleb was rewarded for his great faith that God is who He says He is. Micah's name means the question, "who is like our God?". Caleb believes that the answer is "no one".
He weighed the exact same amount as Micah- 8lbs and 13 oz! We Martins only make 'em one size. He and Katie are doing great! As you know, words cannot describe this day. Thank you so much for your prayers. God has shown himself faithful like you wouldn't believe.
We'll write more later. Here's a little Caleb time:

Baby Time!

Well the baby has decided to wait until his induction date! So tomorrow Ed and I will get up bright and early and head to the hospital for the delivery of our second baby! I have no idea what to expect with the induction but look forward to having that baby in my arms. I've had enough of pregnancy #2 and can't wait to get rid of this belly! Thank you so much for all of you that have prayed for us! We will post pictures and details later...

Joy in His Dwelling Place

So here I sit, still pregnant, and two days past my due date. My doctor gave me my induction date for Friday and I found myself almost depressed. How can I be so down when I get to experience one of the greatest events of life this week? My eyes were opened to how ugly my heart was and so I immediately knew where I needed to go.

I spent time praying and seeking His Word and He brought me to 1 Chronicles 16:23-29.
"Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy in his dwelling place.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength,
ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name.
Bring an offering and come before him;
worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness."

I knew my heart was not filled with joy and did not want to spend my time waiting for the baby without joy. So joy is found in his dwelling place...such a sweet reminder to me. The LORD is so full of joy and is ready to pour it out on me, but I need to meet him in his dwelling place. So I spent the morning in his presence, soaking up every bit I could get. I thought of different reasons I have to be joyful for this week.
1. I am healthy and so is the baby. My doctor keeps reminding me that everything looks good and that it is healthy to carry a baby full term.
2. I get to experience and savor every little movement I feel inside of me for one more week!
3. Out of 52 weeks this year, this is the best week. I am in the best week of my year! I know for sure the baby will be here this week!
4. It is just extending my mother's day. Who wouldn't want a week long mother's day?
5. I was so humbled yesterday by the amount of people in our church that told me they were praying for us all week. Then our pastor prayed for us during the service.
6. We have so many family and friends that called, emailed, etc to check up on us. We are so blessed for the people God has surrounded us with.
7. I have an incredible husband who is with me every step of the way. He will even go out at 10pm and get me some ice cream if I want it!
8. I have a sweet little boy who asks every day if his baby brother is coming. He is so excited. All you have to do is watch the video Ed made for me for Mother's day!
9. All the work on our house is finished. I thought we would never finish it before the baby came, but it is done!
10. Other than the birth, which I am excited about, I am so excited to see family. I can't wait to see my parents and sister. My mom is going to stay with us and help. I am excited about all the time we get to spend together!